PITTSBURGH — U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire is formally endorsing Rep. Mark Critz after Critz beat the fellow western Pennsylvania Democrat in a heated primary election race.

The incumbents were forced to face each other when the Republican-controlled state Legislature redrew congressional district maps to account for population shifts.

Altmire was the early favorite in the newly-configured 12th Congressional District. Critz made a late surge and won by 4 points.

Critz thanked Altmire for his support at a news conference Monday.

Altmire said Critz was committed to creating jobs and fighting for working families.

Critz will face Republican lawyer Keith Rothfus this fall in the general election. Rothfus nearly beat Altmire in 2010.